In a resolution to be introduced at tonight's meeting of City Council, Shoemaker and Fata call for the third-party fiscal review to be conducted in time for any necessary changes to be made to next year's operating budget.

The cost of the review would be paid from the department's existing budget.

They cite the Sault's recently adopted vision statement, which calls on the city "to be the leading innovative, dynamic and efficient municipal corporation in the Province of Ontario."

The two councillors will also introduce a motion calling for a freeze on non-union administrative salaries until January 1, 2018.

The following is the full text of both resolutions.

SooToday will livestream tonight's City Council meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m.

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Public Works third-party review

Mover Councillor M. Shoemaker

Seconder Councillor F. Fata

Whereas Public Works represents a quarter of the City's entire budget; and

Whereas the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie must determine how to most effectively deliver services; and

Whereas the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie is committed to finding cost savings in the delivery of services in order to maintain a level of service that residents deem appropriate; and

Whereas the recently adopted vision for the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie is "to be the leading innovative, dynamic and efficient municipal corporation in the Province of Ontario,"

Now therefore be it resolved that the Public Works department be directed to hire an independent consultant to report to council on potential savings in the Public Works department before deliberations for the 2018 budget to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie taxpayer dollars are being maximized by making the city a leader in the delivery of municipal services, with funding to be sourced from the existing Public Works budget.

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Freezing non-union salaries

Mover Councillor M. Shoemaker

Seconder Councillor F. Fata

Whereas the city faces annual increases in staff salary costs; and

Whereas the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie is committed to finding cost savings in these difficult economic times; and

Whereas the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie is anticipating a budget deficit in 2016 and a significant budget shortfall in 2017.

Now therefore be it resolved that staff be requested to prepare an amendment to Bylaw 2000-147 (non-union salary administration bylaw) which would have the effect of freezing annual non-union general economic salary increases until January 1, 2018.

Today's Poll

Should the city be working on a bid for Amazon's new headquarters?

view related story Yes. We should not miss this opportunity Yes. But let's not spend too much time on it. This is a long shot No. This is a pipe dream. Let's not waste our time on something that's not going to happen No. We don't need Amazon in the Sault